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Earlier today a small group of us went out and served the homeless. It was hot!
In case you don’t know we are in Texas. The temperature right now is reaching at least the mid to high 90’s every day.
I honestly don’t know what the high was today…I just know it was hot.

We went to a number of our normal stops and gave away a lot of drinks, snacks, toilet paper, books and a few socks. After a few hours…we had given away most of the food. Only a few snacks left. The last place to stop was in the heart of the homeless area and I just didn’t feel we had enough. I hate to start handing out stuff then run out. So we called it a day.

Our group got back in our air conditioned cars and chatted on our cell phones and decided where we would go eat lunch.
We sat in an air conditioned restaurant and ate food that was served to us and drank unlimited amounts of cold beverage.

My guilt boiled up when we packed up and drove away from the people who did not have a choice. I was hot, sweaty and uncomfortable. I wanted to take a cool shower and put on clean clothes. The people sitting along the street, trying to stay in the shade, they didn’t have a choice.

I know for many of them it was a string of bad choices that helped them end up on the street. I know I could also end up on the street. But for this moment this is where they are and where I am…and today I felt guilty for having the opportunity to walk away.

Each week bloggers from around the world share photos of doors. Old doors, new doors, short doors and tall doors.

I love this challenge and think of it often. Sadly many Thursdays fly by before I realize I missed yet another week. I actually downloaded my photos for this week’s challenge several days ago….and still I almost missed it! Fortunately Norm 2.0 gives us until Saturday at noon (Eastern Time) to get our doors posted and shared.

I tend to gravitate toward old doors, worn doors and even doors with no way of reaching them…like the two I am sharing today…second floor doors, without stairs.

Both photos taken in Snyder Texas. Hopefully both buildings are being refurbished and not just torn down.

If you would like to join the fun or just want to see a bunch of door photos stop by Norm 2.0 for a visit.

After attending a Dallas Wings game (Womens National Basketball Association) we went to Chipotles for dinner.

We sat eating dinner when 3 police officers walked in the door.
Sonya immediately said, “Well hello sir!” to each officer as he passed her.
A short time later a family (wearing Wings t-shirts) entered the restaurant and Sonya immediately noticed and spoke to them about the game.

Her heart, kindness and openness to everyone that crosses her path always makes me smile. I think she surprises people because joy naturally pours from her.

In this time of hate and anger we need more Sonya. We need more people willing to open their hearts and share love. We don’t have to know everyone’s name, or politics, or job, or religion.
What we need to know is that everyone that crosses our path is human and deserves to be treated with kindness and respect…and if you don’t believe me just ask Sonya.

Usually my family patiently treks around with me as search for photo opportunities. They sit in the car listening to music, looking at their phones, waiting for me to walk across the field, cross the road or work my way inside an abandon building.

This recent trip was a little different. Some extended family made the trip to West Texas with us. As the entire group went to breakfast, someone had to wait in the car with the dog. It is way too hot in Texas to let your dog stay in the car if the air conditioner is not running. I volunteered to hang with the dog. Tina suggested I drive around and take pictures – she knew I had been eyeing a few places. I quickly jumped at the idea.

I drove back out State Route 84 to a dilapidated shack. I had noticed the shack on our way into town.

As I drove to the shack I noticed this house that appears to still be occupied and out by a rundown barn stood a windmill…honestly the windmill caught my eye…I love windmills.

I am finding myself drawn to the old-style water towers. I am considering a photo collection of them. Here is the Snyder Texas Water Tower…found during my photo drive.

I hope you enjoyed this small tour of Snyder Texas...I sure enjoyed taking the photos.

There have been 2 celebrity deaths in the past week due to suicide.
This in itself is tragic. These two people left family, friends and fans to question their actions and grieve their loss.

Though the death of these two people will raise awareness, for a time, the reality is there are tens of thousands (nearly 45,000 in 2016 according to the CDC) of people that die each year by their own hand.

This means there are probably hundreds of thousands of people at risk of suicide. Hundreds of thousands of people suffering…people all around us…in pain.

Are 45,000 people news worthy? Are all the families grieving the loss, questioning their own actions and seeking comfort news worthy?

Our world has become so fragmented. So much despair is broadcast across social media. So little hope is brought to the light.

I would like to say to anyone that might be reading this…there is hope, there is a light just around the next corner…don’t give up. Step around that next corner and if necessary step around another corner…keep moving forward…you will find the brightness of light…just don’t give up.